AfricArena launched its first Annual VC Unconference 2022, awarded 5 startups during its West Africa Summit in partnership with DER and AVCA in Dakar Senegal, and showcased some of the best West & East African startups at the very first AVCA VC Day.

22+ startups across the West Africa region came to learn, network, and showcased their innovative Ideas to our ecosystem of Investors, Incubators, and Accelerators for a 

chance to make it to the Grand summit taking place in Cape Town, South Africa in November 2022. 

The summit, in partnership with DER and AVCA and supported by FMO, ITC and OIF, was attended by 250+ high-level investors, 22+ startups from the West Africa Region, as well as the elite of the continent’s ecosystem builders. 300+ In-person attendees and 1500+ virtual viewers joined us as we embarked on the journey of locating Africa’s best disruptors.

South African-based AfricArena, which has established itself as a leading ecosystem accelerator and deal flow platform across Africa has since its inception in 2017, built a platform dedicated to supporting the creation of market access and investment opportunities for its ever-increasing community of founders, angels, corporates and VC investors. 

FSATLabs Founders Bootcamp in partnership with Startupbootcamp AfriTech and 500 Startups

The Founders’ Bootcamp was a 1-day program that fast tracks founder knowledge in certain key areas that are often overlooked by other incubation programs. The program features teaching, workshops, and networking with peers to empower startups to get the maximum amount of value in a short period of time.

Over 40+ speakers attended the two-day summit and hosted an array of Panel discussions, Fireside chats, and Keynotes with the aim of accelerating ecosystem participants’ journey on the latest news in the African tech. 

A word from our sponsors Délégation Générale à l’Entreprenariat Rapide des Femmes et des Jeunes – DER , represented by the General Delegate for Entrepreneurship Madame Mame Aby SEYE . 

“I had the occasion to assist and participate in the closing of the AfricArena VC Unconference which happened in Sally for 3 days, where investors from all over the world had their attention focused on Africa. This is a special week for the investment in the region, especially in Senegal, where DER played a huge role in the ecosystem.”

Watch Christophe Viarnaud the CEO of AfricArena give a wrap up on all the activities of the West Africa Summit Tour in partnership with DER and AVCA Here

” The AfricArena VC Unconference, the AfricArena West Africa Summit, and AVCA VC Day following AVCA’s Annual PE Conference brought high value to the ecosystem and the future growth of Africa Tech,” says Christophe Viarnaud, Founder of AfricArena & CEO of technology firm Methys.

Amongst keynote and Fireside chats were Tidjane Deme, Mareme Dieng, Ben Marrel, Mohamed Karar and so much more.

Tidjane Deme kicking off day one of the West Africa Summit Tour with keynote insights into the Partech Report and releasing data that has never been seen before on the AfricArena Stage in Dakar. Watch Day 1 Here

AfricArena Launches its annual VC Unconference 2022 in Dakar Senegal

The week started with our VC unconference, which is our flagship VC event, that takes place in a very unconventional weekend format. Investors attending exchange ideas through spending time together, having fun, doing some work sessions and discussing the future of Africa Tech. 

The main objective of bringing all these Fund managers is to create a mandate to try and remove all these very old regulations that are preventing the flow of money, IP, and skills. And if those three things happen, we will be able free the power and the creativity of the entrepreneur, in order to create a minimum of millions of jobs that we need on the continent.

The winner’s circle most

 Innovative Startup: Bizao (Ivory Coast) – CEO: Aurélien Duval-Delort

Best Emerging Entrepreneur: Yobante Express  (Senegal) – CEO: Oumar Basse

Best Seed Startup: Survey 54 (Ghana) – Founder: Stephan Eyeson 

Best Series A Startup: Crowdyvest (Nigeria) – CEO: Temitope Omotolani

Best Late Stage Startup: Gozem (Togo) – CEO: Raphael Dana

Most Attractive Investor: Founders Factory (South Africa) – MD: Bongani Sithole

Raphael Dana Best Late Stage startup comments on his experience at the West Africa Summit, 

“It has been an amazing experience to pitch and exchange with all the best startups of the region. We are thrilled to win the Award for Best Growth Stage Start-Up in West Africa, and looking forward to coming back next year”

AfricArena & FSATLabs to host Learning Expedition & Viva AfricArena, the Major African Tech startup showcase event at Station F Paris preceding the 6th annual Viva Technology conference.

Prior to our Viva AfricArena event happening on the 14th of June 2022, the French South African Tech Labs offers an incredible opportunity to African-based corporates and investors willing to experience the booming startup ecosystem across France and Europe.

AfricArena will be turning the largest startup incubator in the world, Station F, into the stage of African tech entrepreneurship. Over 40+ startups from Seed to Growth Stage will spend the day pitching to foreign markets and showcasing the best Africa Tech has to offer. 

Book your tickets today

FSATLabs learning expedition: Here

Access to the Viva AfricArena Pitching Event at Station F: Here

Startups wanting to Apply to our AfricaRise Program Apply: Here

For any questions or clarification on this press release, reach out to the Media Lead: Nathaniel@africarena.com.

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